Drug Toxicology

Teaching Methodologies

M1. Students should organize the learning process by valuing the skills of learning and work collaboratively. From the bibliographic support provided, students should integrate the knowledge, working in groups and analyzing practical cases to report in the classroom. The teacher act as a facilitator of the learning process.
M2. The learning is based in the theoretical study, analysis and discussion of cases. The theoretical component uses the expository method, in a student-centered learning.
M3. Working groups, with collaborative knowledge dissemination tools, their commitment and relation with these means, relevant factors in the learning process. The practice components are action-oriented, through teaching by research, where the student is challenged to solve clinical cases. (Problem Based Learning)
The acquisition of knowledge is proven through a written test (60%) and a bibliographic research work with
presentation and/or through problem-based learning cases discussion (40%).

Learning Results

O1. To develop skills and abilities within the toxicological reasoning process in the context of drug use.
O2. To understand the principles associated with Toxicokinetics and Toxicodynamics, understanding the mechanisms of drug toxicity and intervening factors.
O3. To recognize the signs and symptoms of the most frequent poisonings; know how to identify urgent therapeutic decisions and preventive measures.
O4. To characterize and anticipate possible interactions between drugs, foods and other substances.
O5. To understand the risks associated with the use of medication, in self-medication and polymedication regimens, as well as characterize the types of medication errors and define prevention strategies.

Program

1. General Principles of Toxicology
1.1. Introduction to Toxicology – basic concepts and history
1.2. Toxicokinetics and Toxicodynamics
1.3. Examples of substances that cause toxicity: heavy metals, pesticides, drugs of abuse
2. Drug Toxicology
2.1. Epidemiology of acute drug poisoning.
2.2. Drug toxicity – therapeutic groups, adverse effects of drugs on organs and systems.
2.3. Antidotes.
2.4. Prevention of poisoning – general treatment of poisoning
2.5. Dose-response relationship
2.6. In vivo and in vitro toxicity tests.
2.7. Target organ Toxicity – Hepatic, renal, respiratory system, nervous system and digestive system toxic response
and dermal toxicity. Reproductive system; immune System: Immunotoxicity
3. Drug Interactions
3.1. Drug-Drug Interactions;
3.2. Drug-Food Interactions
3.3. Drug-Disease Interactions
3.4. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions.
4. Medication errors, polymedication and self-medication

Curricular Unit Teachers

Joao Jose de Morais Joaquim

Internship(s)

NAO

Bibliography

Casarett & Doull’s Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons, 8ª Ed by Curtis Klaassen, 2013
Ferner, Robin E., and Jeffrey K. Aronson. “EIDOS.” Drug safety33.1 (2010): 15-23.
Flanagan, R. J., Braithwaite, R. A., Brown, S. S., Widdop, B., De Wolff, F. A., & World Health Organization. (1995). Basic analytical toxicology.
Lodola, A., & Stadler, J. (Eds.). (2011). Pharmaceutical Toxicology in Practice: A Guide to Non-clinical Development.
John Wiley & Sons.
Aronson, J. K. (2009). Medication errors: definitions and classification. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 67(6), 599-604.